Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
production in the United States during the same period declined by 3%
largely due to reduced crop area (11%), although yields increased
by 9%.
Peanut is extensively grown in the semi-arid tropics (SAT) by
resource-poor farmers where many abiotic (low temperature, drought,
salinity, and heat stress) and biotic (fungi, bacteria, and viruses) factors
limit its productivity and seed quality. These stresses often occur in
combinations, and their severity and extent of distribution vary with
cropping systems, growing seasons, and regions (Dwivedi et al. 2003).
More importantly, peanut production in some parts of the world, for
example, the United States, is becoming uncompetitive with regard
to yield and production cost compared with crops such as cotton
( Gossypium hirsutum L.) and maize ( Zea mays L.). The best way to
compete is to breed cultivars with enhanced host plant resistance to
pathogens and pests, adaptation to abiotic stress, input-use ef
ciency,
and increased yield potential. Such cultivars will maximize yield gains
while minimizing inputs in order to sustain and compete with other
crops.
Humans require at least 49 nutrients to meet their metabolic needs,
and inadequate consumption of even one or a combination of these
results in large economic cost to the society (Welch and Graham 2004).
More importantly, the primary source of all nutrients for people comes
from agricultural products. Peanuts are a natural and wholesome food,
rich in protein, oil, minerals (P, Ca, K, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Se),
vitamins (B 1 ,B 2 ,B 3 ,B 5 ,B 6 , choline, E, and folate), and
fiber. Peanut oil
is composed of predominantly monounsaturated fat (oleic fatty acid),
which lowers total and bad LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while
keeping the good HDL cholesterol. Regular consumption of peanut is
associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, lower blood
pressure, cancers, and also bene
ts those with type II diabetes
(O
Byrne et al. 1997; Kris-Etherton et al. 1999; Kris-Etherton 2001;
Alper and Mattes 2003; Teres et al. 2008; Vassiliou et al. 2009). Peanut
consumption has also been associated with body weight maintenance;
that is, malnourished infants achieve weight gain, whereas obese
adults and children achieve weight loss (Griel et al. 2004; Pelkman
et al. 2004).
Peanut has several uses and consumption pattern worldwide, that is,
oil, peanut butter, roasted and salted nuts, boiled or roasted in-shell nuts,
and other confectionery products. For example, peanut in the United
States is predominantly consumed as peanut butter, with shelled
and salted nuts, candy, and roasted or boiled in-shell nuts being the
next most common uses compared with use as oil elsewhere. The
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